Commentary | The Daily Chronicle

A librarian helps a guest at the Timberland Regional Library in Tenino.

Opinion: Support our rural libraries by voting for Timberland levy lid lift

As former trustees for Timberland Regional Library (TRL), we urge voters to approve TRL’s levy lid lift measure that is on this fall’s ballot. The Timberland district covers five counties … more

By Edna Fund, Bob Hall, Corby Varness and Brian Zylstra | 9/30/26

Let’s Go Washington supporters hold a sign with the total number of signatures received for a petition, 511,408, outside the Washington Secretary of State’s office building in Tumwater on Thursday, July 2.

Opinion: Washington’s I-645 — repealing the new 9.9% income tax

This November, Washington voters will decide whether to enact I-645. This proposal would repeal a new 9.9% income tax , with a current statutory exemption of one million dollars, that is scheduled to … more

Jason Mercier / Mountain States Policy Center | 9/28/26

Cynthia Waddell talks about the nonprofit Lewis County Maternity House, which Cooks Hill Community Church started in 2023 to provide safe, transitional housing for pregnant women and new mothers.

Julie McDonald: Lewis County Maternity House offers help to young mothers

As a teenager who was strongly pro-life, I always thought communities needed a home for unwed mothers where their baby could grow inside their womb in safety and they could give birth without doing … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald | 9/28/26

Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez shakes hands with Patience Dour, a former senior in the CTE program at Napavine High School, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

John McCroskey: MGP maims the facts in her attack on Braun's company safety record

I spent 28 years in law enforcement, including 10 as Lewis County sheriff. One thing that experience taught me is that serious accusations deserve more than a sound bite. You look at the … more

Commentary by John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 9/28/26

Doug DeVany is executive director of the Lewis County Historical Museum.

Letter: This is your museum

Hello, Lewis County, and hello to the many visitors from around the world who find their way to our beautiful county. Now that I'm the permanent executive director of the Lewis County Historical … more

9/28/26

CEO Coralee Taylor and Publisher Chad Taylor pose for a photo outside of The Chronicle’s new location in downtown Centralia on Tuesday, Dec. 2.

From the CEO: The Thurston Chronicle has a secret weapon

As we have played our cards building to the launch of the new Thurston Chronicle weekly newspaper over the past year, we have been holding something of an ace of spades under the table. It’s … more

By Coralee Taylor | 9/28/26

Wildland crews implement firing operations to remove unburned vegetation between a fire’s edge and containment lines on the 2026 Three Queens Fire in Washington.

Commentary: Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Washington show key strategies for effective wildfire funding

Wildfire is no longer a seasonal surprise across the Mountain West. It is a recurring fiscal challenge that threatens communities, public lands, infrastructure, air quality, and state budgets. … more

By Emily Strasburg / Idaho Capital Sun | 9/25/26

Brian Mittge performs a fair-themed rendition of Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin” during the opening ceremony for the Southwest Washington Fair at the fairgrounds in Centralia on Tuesday, Aug. 11.

Brian Mittge: Life is joyful and nifty on this side of fifty

My father once said “When I look at what’s past, I find that each decade Goes by twice as fast.” I’ve gone through half Of a century now. My dad’s words are … more

By Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 9/25/26

Opinion: Taxpayer money for government employee compensation demands real transparency

Multiple Washington school districts recently reached tentative bargaining agreements, and an October 1 deadline looms for unionized state government employees to submit ratified contracts in time … more

By Meg Goudy / Mountain States Policy Center | 9/24/26

John McCroskey was Lewis County sheriff from 1995 to 2005. He lives outside Chehalis and can be contacted at musingsonthemiddlefork@gmail.com.

John McCroskey: An imaginary “good old boys club” — and my endorsements

We’re down to the last few weeks of the current election cycle, and I can say the Lewis County sheriff’s race has been the most interesting. For example, I was surprised to learn there is a … more

Commentary by John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 9/23/26

Legislators, family members and friends join lawmakers on the House floor to celebrate the last day of the legislative session on Thursday, March 12, in Olympia.

Opinion: Don’t fall for the illusion of voter control on income tax expansion

I keep hearing the same response when voters raise this obvious concern about Washington’s new income tax: What happens when a future Legislature decides they need more money and lowers the income … more

By Ryan Frost / Washington Policy Center | 9/23/26

Margaret Denzil “Denny” (Kirkendoll) Cole, center, poses for a photo with Christine and Bret Cole.

Julie McDonald: A week of listening, learning and honoring those who give and live

Sometimes life flows along like a pleasant stream, meandering around boulders and logs, while at other times it roils down a mountainside like an avalanche. With summer passing into fall, the … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 9/21/26

The Washington state Capitol is pictured from Heritage Park in Olympia on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Opinion: Washington has an income tax — why won’t the media call it one?

There seem to be two words that have suddenly become difficult to print in Washington state: income tax. Sure, you can find the phrase easily on the state’s own website. In fact, the … more

By Chris Cargill / Mountain States Policy Center | 9/18/26

Chronicle columnist Brian Mittge performs a fair-themed rendition of Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin” during the opening ceremony for the Southwest Washington Fair at the fairgrounds in Centralia on Tuesday, Aug. 11.

Brian Mittge: A chill competition for a warm weekend

As we enjoy the last few days of summer, with a forecast of mild-mannered smiling sunshine and a gentle mix of gray clouds and blue skies, I’d like to invite you to join me for a relaxing few days … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 9/18/26

Crew 18 conducts mop-up operations on the Autumn Lane Fire, extinguishing remaining hot spots and securing the fire’s edge to prevent rekindling along the south eastern flank of the fire near the Little Spokane River. Mop-up is a critical phase of wildfire suppression that helps ensure the fire remains contained and reduces the risk of additional spread.

Opinion: Spokane fire recovery can serve as model in the future

It will take years to fully rebuild from the devastating wildfires that destroyed more than 800 homes in the Spokane area in August. Residents lost homes they lived in for decades and homes they … more

9/18/26

Organizer Neal Kirby, the author of this commentary, speaks during a celebration after the Centralia School District levy passed at the Juice Box in Centralia on Monday, Feb. 23.

Opinion: Defense of candidate ignores changes to Washington school funding

Former Washington state Sen. Tim Sheldon’s commentary, published by The Chronicle on Sept. 5, defended congressional candidate state Sen. John Braun from Congresswoman Marie Glusenkamp Perez’s TV … more

Commentary by Neal Kirby | 9/18/26

Crews implement firing operations to remove unburned vegetation between the fire’s edge and containment lines. on the Three Queens Fire, Washington, 2026.

Commentary: Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Washington show key strategies for effective wildfire funding

Wildfire is no longer a seasonal surprise across the Mountain West. It is a recurring fiscal challenge that threatens communities, public lands, infrastructure, air quality, and state budgets. … more

Emily Strasburg / Idaho Capital Sun | 9/18/26

Wayne Fournier: Raise for Rowyn the best example of Tenino’s top exports — strength, resilience and grit

People usually think of a community’s exports as the things it produces, like timber, agriculture and manufacturing. Maybe some product or industry that puts a place on the map. I’ve always … more

Commentary by Wayne Fournier / For The Chronicle | 9/16/26

Aron Christensen and his dog Buzzo are pictured in these photos previously provided by his friends and family.

Opinion: A humble plea to Lewis County citizens about your upcoming vote

When my brother, Aron Christensen, and his dog, Buzzo, were shot and died in the backcountry in 2022, members of the Lewis County sheriff’s office, coroner’s office and prosecutor’s office each … more

By Corey Christensen | 9/15/26

Alva Ashbury Tucker, known in his family as Alvie, is pictured aboard the Warren in this photo provided by Maeve Mitchell.

Julie McDonald: Centralia lawyer Elmer Smith helped widow after tugboat sinking

Last week, I wrote about John and Mary Tucker, who settled first on Cowlitz Prairie in 1865 and a few years later moved to Silver Creek, where they raised their large family of eight children. … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 9/14/26